[District Attorney] – A 48-year-old man was charged Friday with killing his wife at their Newhall home about two months after they married.

Deputy District Attorney Julie Kramer said Robert George Arvizu (dob 9/24/66) pleaded not guilty today to one count of murder.

The murder count was added to case PA083603 filed on May 27 for two felony counts of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. The two assault charges involve a second victim.

Arvizu is scheduled to return on Nov. 18 to Department H of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, San Fernando Branch.

Before dawn on May 24, Los Angeles County sheriff deputies discovered the body of the 25-year-old victim identified as Courtney A. while conducting a welfare check at the Newhall residence, the prosecutor said. Previously that evening, Arvizu had allegedly assaulted a friend who gave him a ride home from a party that the defendant had attended with his wife, the prosecutor added.

Arvizu’s bail was raised today to more than $1 million.

If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of 30 years to life in state prison.

This domestic violence case remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau.